Mining apparatus



E. RAMSAY 2,320,653

MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l5, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet l mw lvmm N NN @LA n N lNvENToR Fnsmrvs Fansay fy/ ATTORN June 1, 1943.

`'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 :HLL

,June l, 1943. E. RAMSAY MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. '15, 1941 INVENroR June 1, 1943. E. RAMSAY MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l5, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 n VER INVENTOR Erskine Ramsay j f ATTORNEY June 1, 1943. E. RAMSAY MINING APPARATUS a 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. l5, 1941 INVENTOR frs/Eine Ramsay June 1, 1943. n E. RAMsAY 2,320,653

MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l5, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Erskine Ramsay June 1, 1943. E. RAMSAY MINING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 15, 1941 June 1, 1943.

e l r we m5 W/// 1 f m .w tm 4H| MMA NM. MN\ mm\ m E ,N RTV 4l w N A o l E S Nm\\ MT mg QD mmc w nwo v V LIl @lll En@ ATTORN Y Patented June l, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIc'E 2,320,653 MINING APPARATUS Erskine Ramsay, Birmingham, Ala.

Application August 15, 1941, Serial No. 406,963

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for mining generally. In its morerspeciiic aspects, the invention is concerned with the mining of coal and in the driving of headings and air courses in a coal mine, but the invention is equally applicable to other mining operations, as well as to the mining of coal from a room or long wall.

One object of my invention is to provide apparatus for driving entries, headings and air courses which shall in a continuous operation mine the coal, advance into the working face, and remove the coal from the mine.

A further object of my invention is to provide mining apparatus which shall embody rotary cutting tools and means to advance the same continuously, together with means to oscillate the rotating tools through an arc defining the width of the heading or entry being mined.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken vertically through the forward portion of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along the line lJI-lII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the linev IVQIV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, as viewed from the rear of the curved rack, with certain parts thereof in section;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the means for adjusting the height of the machine in its work; Y

Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view of the rear of the machine with one-half of the view in section and showing the manner of the delivery of the coal from the machine to a, supplementary conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View of the rear of the machine showing the drive for the conveyors of the machine and their relation to the supplementary conveyor for taking the mined material from the machine out of the mine; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the manner of use of the machine in driving headings, entries and air courses.

Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises framework II which may be formed of castings and structural shapes, and is supported on a pair of endless tracks I2 of the caterpillar type. Adjacent the rear of the tracks I2 is a roller I Il which acts as a support and prevents the machine from tipping on the tracks. Power for driving the tracks I2 is transmitted thereto through worms I3, and the rotation of the shafts which drive these worms is effected vby means later to be described.

On either side of the machine is provided an inturned channel I4 which forms a guide shoe adapted to bear against the sides of the heading, thus to insure, that the machine travels in a straight line. Handwheels I6 fast on threaded stems I1 are provided at each end ofthe guide shoes so that either end thereof selectively may be moved toward or from the side of the heading to exert a. guiding force on the machine. The stems I1 are threaded into brackets I8 carried by the frame Il.

Secured to the framework is a transversely extending divided housing comprising portions I3 and 2l within which is rotatably mounted a shaft 22. Loosely mounted on this shaft is a gear 23 in mesh with a pinion 24 driven by a motor 26, both of which gears may he enclosed in a housing 21 for the sake of safety. Integral with the gear is one element 28 of a clutch 30, the other element 29 being slidably splined to the shaft 22. The elements 28 and 29 may be engaged and disengaged by means of a pivoted yoke 3I and the lever arm 32. members 28 and 29 are engaged, shaft 22 is driven by the motor 26 in a direction opposite that of the motor.

On the other end the shaft 22 has loosely mounted thereon a sprocket 33, which has connected thereto one member 34 of a clutch 35. The other member 36 of the clutch is slidably splined to the shaft 22, and the members 34 and 36 may be engaged and disengaged by means of a yoke 31 and lever 38. A sprocket 39 is directly connected to the motor shaft and is connected by a chain 4I to the sprocket 33, thus to drive the shaft 22 in the same direction as the motor when clutch 35 is engaged. A member 42 cross connects the clutch levers 32 and 31, thus to prevent engagement of both clutches at the same time.

The Worms I3 are mounted on the shaft 22 and drive gears 43 keyed to forwardly extending shafts 44 which Aare mounted on opposite sides of the machine in suitable bearings 46, only 'assembly being shown in Fig. 3. 'I'he other side being similar, requires no detailed description. Each of the shafts is provided with a clutch 41 comprising oneelement 49 keyed to the shafts It will be apparent that when the and another element 48 slidably splined thereto.

4Pivoted yokes and levers 52 'are adapted independently to engage and disengage the clutches 41.

The shafts 44 extend forwardly to a point just over the rear of the tracks I2, at which point they are provided with worms 53 in mesh with gears 54 which are keyed to transversely extending stub shafts 56. These latter shafts carry sprockets 51 in mesh with the tracks I2 for driving them in the manner well understood.

From the foregoing it will be seen that whenever the two clutches 41 are engaged and either ofthe clutches 3l or 35 is engaged, the tracks I2 will be driven. If clutch 30 is engaged, the drive will be from the motor 26 through the gear 23,` and hence the machine will move forward. If clutch 35 is engaged, the driving power is transmitted to the tracks from motor 26 through the chain 4'I and sprockets 33 and 38, and hence the machine moves rearwardly. Inasmuch as the ratio of reduction between the motor 26 and the shaft 22 through the gears 23 and 24 is much greater than the ratio of reduction through the sprockets 38 and 33 to the shaft 22, the machine will move rearwardly at a much greater rate than it will move forwardly; If it is desired to turn the machine, either of the tracks I2 may be stopped by disengaging either of the clutches 41.

Secured to the frame I I is an upstandng housing 58 in which is mounted a large shaft 58.

This shaft forms apost about which the cutter mechanism oscillates, as will now be described.

Supported for oscillation `on the shaft 58 is aY Ya cutter 14 adapted to contact the roof of the heading and break the same, while a similar cutter 16 is provided on the lower end of the shaft for breaking the coal adjacent the floor line of the heading. Intermediate the upper and lower cutters 14 and 16 are provided a plurality of circular saws 11, supported on and driven by shafts 18, journalled in bearings 18, which may be formed as part of the housing 61. The shafts 18 are driven 'by bevel gears 8| and 82 from shaft 68. Whenever the motor 62 vand 63 are rotating, all of the cutters and saws are likewise rotating. -As will be seen in Figs. 1 and 10, the sides of the saws 11 are substantially parallel to the mine face being cut and their axes are normal to said face.l The mechanism for oscillating the frame 6|, and hence the cutters and saws, about the shaft 58, will now be described, referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5.

Intermediate its ends, shaft 68 is provided with a worm 83 in mesh rwith a gear 84 on a transversely extending shaft 86. Shaft 86 has keyed thereto two pinions 81 and; 88, while the gear 84 is slidably splined tothe shaft 86. At either end the shaft 86 is providedwith a pair of collars 88 between which t yokes 8| and 82. The yokes are both secured to a member 83 which 4 slides in a bearing 84 which also may be formed as a part of the housing 61. The pinions 81 and 88 are adapted selectively to engage a pair of gears 86 and 81 mounted on shafts 88 and 88 in bearings -|0| and |02. At their lower ends the shafts 88 and 88 carry pinions |03 and |04 in mesh with a curved rack |06 secured to the forward portion of the frame II. Power is transmitted from the motors 62 and 63 through sliaft 68, worm 88, gear 84, shaft 86, pinion 81 or 88, gear 86 or 81, shaft |0| or |02, pinion |63 or |04, to the rack |06, depending on which gear 81 or 88 is in mesh, thus resulting in oscillating the frame 6|, motors 62 and 63, and the cutters and saws, about the upright post 58. It will be seen that thisarc of oscillation defines the width of the cut being made by the machine.

Whenever the cutters and saws reach the extreme end of the swing to the right or left, their direction of travel must be reversed. Accordingly, at both ends of the rack |06 is provided a post 01 (only one being shown) above which is pivotally mounted a spring biased dog |08 which lies in the path of the end of the connecting member 83. When the end of this member strikes the dog |08, the member 83 slides in its bearing 84, thus to disengage one of the pinions 81 or 88 from the gear86 or SI1, and engage it with the other. This causes the saws to oscillate about the shaft 58. The spring pressed dog prevents sudden and harsh meshing `of the gears. v

As the cutters and saws remove the coal, it

falls to the floor in the path of a pair of conveyors |08 andA I I As seen, these conveyors comprise outer ights ||0 running forwardly in open sided troughs II5, and turn at the front to travel rearwardly with the load, carrying the same in a trough ||2 extending from front to rear of the machine. At the rear of the machine the coal is delivered on to a supplementary conveyor |25 to be carried out'of the mine. 'I'he conveyors may be of the usual chain type running on idler sprockets II3.

In order to drive the conveyors |08 and from the motor 26, there is provided a sprocket I |4 loosely mounted on the shaft 22. The sprocket ||4 is provided on either side with one element I I6 of a ratchetclutch, and the other elements I|1 and I|8 thereof are slidably splined to the shaft 22. Springs I|8 and I2I bias the elements into engagement with element |I6. The teeth of this clutch are so inclined that they engage only when the machine is moving forward, that is, when the tracks I2 are being driven by the motor 26 through gear 23 and pinion 24. vWhen the machine is travelling backward, the ratchets slip and sprocket I|4 is not rotated.

At the rear of the machine are provided a pair of vertical shafts |22 and |23, carrying at their top ends gears |24 and |26 in engagement with pinions |21, which latter are mounted on a shaft |28. The shaft |28 has keyed thereto a sprocket |3| which is connected by a chain |32 1o the sprocket 4. At their lower ends the shafts I 22 and |23 have keyed thereto sprockets |33 and |34 which are in mesh with the conveyor chains. Idler sprockets |36 and I 31 are provided as shown.

A shield |38 is mounted on the post 58 and has an opening 38 therein through which the operator may see to the rear. The overhanging rear portion of the machine is further supported by tie rods |4I.`

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the entire machine may be raised or lowered, or adjusted as to height, by raising and lowering the main frame |I with respect to the frame for the caterpillar drive I2,

which is shown in Fig. 6 at |42, and on either side of which are guide elements |43 secured to the frame as shown in Fig. 7. A rigid yoke |44 connects the side frame members |42 and has intermediate its ends an opening |45 hav.- ing a rounded bottom within which seats the spherical end |46 of a jack screw |41. The jack screw |41 is threaded through a transverse beam |48, forming a part of the main frame and a hand wheel |49 is keyed to the upper end of the Jack screw. The main frame of the machine is thus suspended from the caterpillar frame |42 through the jack screw |41. It will be seen that when the hand kwheel |49 is screwed down on the jack screw it will lift the machine, and when it is backed off the jack screw |41 the machine will be lowered with respect to the caterpillar drive frame. Similar adjustment is provided on the opposite side of the machine and need not be described.

Elcctric current for operating the motors 26, 62 and 63 is conducted to the machine through a cable |52, which may be wound on a reel |53 mounted in suitable bearings |54. The reel |53 provides means for accommodating the machine to the distance from the source of power, the reel being rotated when necessary by any suitable means, not shown. The conductors inside the cable |52 terminate in slip rings |56. Brushes |51 bear on the slip rings |56, and are connected by suitable conductors through a cable |58 to the motors. v

In the operation of the machine, the rapid cutting of coal creates a great amount of dust, and water may necessarily have to be sprayed on the face being mined. I show in Fig. 8 a water hose |59 which is wound on a drum |6| mounted in suitable bearings |62 on the frame of the machine. The drum |6| is preferably made hollow with the end |63 of the hose connected to the interior of the drum. Water may be taken out of the drum through a swivel connection |64 and delivered through a hose |66 to the front of the machine, where it terminates in a spray |61 (see Fig. 1).

Referring to Fig. 10, which is a diagrammatic sectional showing of a coal mine, the method of use of my improved machines will be clearly understood. In Fig. I show a heading |68 and companion air courses |69 and |10 on opposite sides of the heading. The intervening pillars |1| and |12 between the heading and its companion air courses should each be about one-half the width of the heading and the air courses. For example, if the headings and air courses are each 10 feet across, the intervening pillars should be 5 feet. In each of the air courses |69 and |10, and in the heading |68, I show one of my improved machines |13. Coal being mined is carried out of the mine by the supplementary conveyor associated with the machine in the heading |68. The supplementary conveyors |25 associated with the machines in the air courses |69 and |10 do not necessarily extend to the outside of the mine, but may deliver their coal to the conveyor |25 in the heading |68 by means of cross conveyors |14, indicated diagrammatically in the drawings, which go through suitable Ventilating openings |16 in the intervening pillars |1| and |12. As is well understood, the openings |16 are constructed at suitable intervals to insure the Aproper' ventilation of the workings.

The machines |13 being driven forward constantly, it will be seen that the cutters 11, instead of travelling in a true arc, travel in a curved path,

which is a resultant of their oscillatory motion plus the forward motion of the machine as a whole. The dotted lines |16 indicate the nature of the cut being made. In its forward advance, the machine is guided by the guides i4, and its working height is adjusted by means of the adjusting wheels |49 and Jackv screws |41, as already explained. As the material is dislodged by the cutters 11, it is moved rearwardly by the con veyor |09 and delivered to the supplementary conveyor |25 which carries it out of the mine. The supplementary conveyor shown is intended to be of standard construction, which may be lengthened from time to time to accomodate the advance of the machine. As this construction is well understood, its detail description is not necessary at this time.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised an improved mining machine which is adapted for the continuous mining of coal, and particularly in the driving of headings and air courses.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof. and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A mining machine comprising a main frame, a secondary frame mounted to oscillate on the main frame, rotary circular saws carried by the secondary frame with their faces substantially parallel to the mine face, means for simultaneously driving -the main frame, the saws and for oscillating the secondary frame, a conveyor trough mounted intermediate the sides and extending rearwardly of the machine, and conveyor flights adapted to engage the material mined by the cutters along the sides of the machine and to move it inthe trough to the rear of the machine.

2. A mining machine comprising a main frame, a secondary frame mounted to oscillate on the main frame in a horizontal plane, rotary cutters carried by the secondary frame, driving means for the cutters and for oscillating the secondary frame, a conveyor trough mounted vintermediate the sides and extending rearwardly of the machine, and conveyor ights moving forwardly of the machine around the perimeter thereof and joining to move rearwardly of the machine in the conveyor trough whereby to engage the dislodged material and move it in the conveyor trough to the rear of the machine.

3. A mining machine comprising a main frame, a secondary frame mounted to oscillate on the main frame in a horizontal plane, rotary cutters carried by the secondary frame. driving means for the cutters and for oscillating the secondary frame, a conveyor trough mounted intermediate the sides and extending rearwardly of the machine, and conveyor flights moving forwardly of the machine around the perimeter thereof and joining to move rearwardly of the machine in the conveyor trough whereby to engage the dislodged material and move it in the conveyor trough to the rear of the machine, and a supplemental conveyor to remove the material from the mine.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a main supporting frame, of a supplemental frame mounted for horizontal oscillatory movement about a vertical axis in front of a vertical movement thereof, and means to advance the machine toward the mine face during the oscillatory movement to effect a cutting action which is aresultant of their oscillatory motion plus the forward motion of the machine as a whole during both directions of the oscillatory movement.

5. In a mining machine, the combination with a main supporting frame, of. a supplemental frame mounted for horizontal oscillatory movement about a vertical axis in front of a vertical mine face, rotary shafts extending normal to the face mounted on the supplemental frame, circular saws mounted on the ends of the shafts to engage and dislodge material from the face, power means for driving the saws, reversing gear means interposed between the power means and the cutters to effect oscillatory movement thereof, endless track supports for the main frame, power means for driving the endless tracks during operation of the saws, and reversing gear means interposed between the power means and the track supports for eifecting movement of the machine 'selectively in a forward or rearward direction. i

6. A mining machine as set forth in claim 5, in combination with adjustable lateral guiding means disposed to engage the walls of the mine workings, and mes to vary the angular position of the main frame with respect to the endless track supports. i 7. In a mining machine for operation before a vertical mine face, the combination with supporting frame work, of coal cutting mechanism comprising saws mounted for horizontal oscillatory movement relative thereto and a cutting action substantially parallel to the mine face, means for operating said coal cutting mechanism to cut coal in both directions of its oscillatory movement, means to advance themachlne during the cutting operation to effect a cut which is a resultant of the oscillatory movement of the saws plus the forward motion of the machine as a whole, and a conveyor for transferring dislodged material toward the rear of the machine. 8. In a mining machine, the combination with supporting frame work, of a supplemental frame mounted for horizontal oscillatory movement about a vertical axis and before an upright mine face, coal cutting mechanism comprising a plurality of cutters mounted on the supplemental frame to oscillate therewith and adapted to cut coal in both directions of their oscillatory movement, power means for driving the cutters, reversing gear means interposed bstween the power means and the cutters to elIect oscillatory move-v ment thereof, and means to advance the machine toward the mine face during the oscillatory movement to effect a cutting action which is a resultant of the oscillatory motion plus the forward motion of the machine as a whole during both directions of the oscillatory movement.

- ERSKINE R-AMSAY. 

